Stuart Hogg looks to offload the ball for Scotland under pressure from France

Inpho

8 March 2014, 06:48 pm ::

By Sportsbeat

Doussain breaks Scotland hearts

Jean-Marc Doussain's late penalty saw France snatch a 19-17 victory over Scotland at Murrayfield to maintain their hopes of lifting the RBS 6 Nations crown next week in Paris.

Doussain was on target on 78 minutes after replacement Tim Swinson was penalised in front of the Scotland posts for not rolling away, ensuring Les Bleus chalked up an eighth straight victory over their hosts.

Scotland were on track for back-to-back one-point wins in the RBS 6 Nations after Duncan Weir's 61st-minute penalty but they were unable to build on their lead and France, who were far from their best, pinched victory late on.

First-half tries from Stuart Hogg and Tommy Seymour had put Scotland into a 14-9 lead at half-time only for France to hit back with an interception try from Yoann Huget, converted by Maxime Machenaud.

Weir, taking over the kicking duties from Greig Laidlaw, struck his penalty sweetly before Scotland dominated territory in the closing stages but in a rare foray into their hosts' half, France made them pay late on.

Things got off to the best possible start for France who, having won a scrum in the Scotland half inside the first two minutes, were awarded a penalty.

Scrum-half Machenaud, restored to the starting line-up in place of Doussain, made no mistake from the tee to give his side a 3-0 lead.

Scotland were enthusiastic, if inaccurate, while France also had their struggles but they did put together a wonderful passage of play on nine minutes.

A long pass from Machenaud found Jules Plisson who worked the ball wide to Huget, who beat his man before offloading inside to Maxime Mermoz.

Mermoz was closing in on the try-line but between them Weir and David Denton scrambled back to deny him. France worked the ball right however and while no try was forthcoming, they did force a penalty and Machenaud made no mistake.

Scotland were ahead however on their next trip into French territory. With advantage already secured, Hogg launched an up and under and Sean Lamont put Huget under sufficient pressure to ensure he could not field the ball.

Hogg darted in and while Huget thought he had got a hand to the loose ball, the Scottish full-back was awarded the try after referee Chris Pollock consulted the TMO.

Laidlaw added the conversion but Scotland's lead last just three minutes as Denton gathered the restart, made yards but then knocked on.

France worked the ball left but Hogg made a superb tackle on Mermoz, although again Les Bleus won a penalty and Machenaud slotted home from the tee.

On 21 minutes however, Scotland had their second try of the game - Seymour finishing off a well-worked move in the left corner for his third score in eight matches.

Weir fizzed a ball to centre Matt Scott who found the onrushing Seymour on the inside and he burst through to dot down - Laidlaw adding an expert conversion.

France were rattled and with Plisson struggling with his kicks from hand, they could not provide the platform for their dangerous backs, and as Machenaud penalty drifted wide just before the break, Les Bleus went in 14-9 down at half-time.

Scotland set about going for the jugular after the break and pinned France back in their own 22, putting hooker Brice Mach under pressure at the lineout.

In the right-hand corner Scotland turned the ball over and with numbers on the left, a third Scottish try looked a certainty.

Weir opted for a long pass to outside centre Alex Dunbar however and Huget gambled, read the pass perfectly, made the interception and streaked the length of the pitch to dive over. Machenaud added the conversion to see France retake the lead, 16-14.

A turgid ten minutes followed but at a French scrum on 58 minutes, Scotland won a free-kick for a crooked feed and opted for another scrum.

It proved a wise move as referee Pollock awarded the penalty, but although Laidlaw's line was correct, it fell the wrong side of the cross bar.

On 61 minutes however, Scotland did have the lead. Further pressure resulted in France flanker Sebastien Vahaamahina giving away a penalty for not rolling away and this time it was Weir with the successful shot a goal.

France threatened with 13 minutes remaining but after a powerful break down the left from Mathieu Bastareaud, Mermoz knocked on and Brice Dulin compounded his side's woes, running into his own man after Les Bleus had won the ball back.

Weir had another shot a goal, thanks to another penalty from a scrum, but he was then wide with his effort, ensuring a nervous finish.

And, much like they did against England in their opening match, one late flurry from France proved enough with Doussain keeping his composure to slot the penalty.

It means that, like leaders Ireland, France have three wins from their four matches and while their points difference is vastly inferior, they host the Men in Green in Paris next week and remain in the hunt for the Championship.